Chapter 19 Feigning Illness

Xiao Min picked up a book, and the handwriting on it was the same as the Buddhist scripture he had given to his mother that day. There was not a single wrong word in the whole book, and the size and strength of the characters were even, which showed that the person who copied it was calm and serious and had a strong penmanship.

I looked at a few more books, and they were all of this quality.

Putting aside Xiao Yuxuan's dislike for him, such handwriting is sufficient for early childhood education.

If it really was written by that maid named Hongzhu, then why was she putting on an act in front of Qinghong and the maid at the family temple?

Did she really write these things herself and sincerely while reflecting on her actions?

Wasn't she an embroiderer before? Embroiderers can write too?

Xiao Min didn't understand.

In this dynasty, only people with some family wealth could read and write, and most of them were men. Embroiderers had to rely on their embroidery to exchange for money to make a living, so how could they learn to write?

Xiao Yuxuan was unaware of everything that happened at the family temple. She didn't need the things Xiao Min gave her in the first place, but Xiao Yuyao took them and tried to slander her. Well, she'll just have to wait to be exposed in public later.

In Baozhen Courtyard, Mu Jin was pouring tea for Xiao Yuyao.

"Miss, these things are of average value. You have many writing implements bestowed by the palace. Why do you still want the set that the Second Young Master gave to the Fifth Young Master?"

Xiao Yuyao gave her a disdainful look.

“That was a gift from my second brother. How can it have the same meaning? No matter how valuable the gift is, it can’t compare to the sentiment.”

Everything she has now comes from the Xiao family's affection for her. If she can't always outdo Xiao Yuxuan, then everything she has now will be taken away in an instant. She knows very well what she wants.

Once Xiao Yuxuan is completely rejected by the Xiao family, they will stand on her side. At that time, if she wants anything rare and expensive, there will be plenty of people willing to offer it to her without hesitation.

Inside the Orchid Pavilion, Longxing Cloth Shop sent someone to deliver the clothes that had been tailored to Xiao Yuxuan's measurements, so that she could try them on and have them altered if they didn't fit.

These fabrics were all chosen by Madam Wan, and they perfectly suited Xiao Yuxuan's temperament. She tried on a few pieces and then asked Chunwen to put them away.

"Miss, why don't you wear this to the flower viewing banquet tomorrow?"

Chunwen held the pink dress in her hands and made a suggestion happily.

Tomorrow, Madam Xiao will take the two girls to the flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Prime Minister's wife. Madam Xiao specifically instructed that this is the first time she will be appearing in front of those ladies and young women, so they should dress up nicely.

Xiao Yuxuan responded, but she wasn't very interested. Her first public appearance in her previous life was at her mother's birthday banquet, where she made a huge fool of herself, so it wasn't a pleasant memory.

She avoided it this time, but as for that flower-viewing banquet, she didn't want to go last time because she embarrassed herself, so she didn't know what would happen.

The next day, Xiao Yuxuan, dressed in her new clothes, waited for a long time in the flower hall, but Madam Xiao did not appear.

"Why hasn't Mother arrived yet? Chunwen, send someone to inquire."

Chunwen had just received her instructions and hadn't even left when she ran into Li's mother.

"Fifth Miss, what bad luck! Fourth Miss was unwell this morning, and Madam has already gone to Baozhen Courtyard. She has also apologized to the Prime Minister's wife for today's banquet and will not be attending."

Xiao Yuxuan understood. This illness came at just the right time. What kind of trouble was Xiao Yuyao causing now?

In the elegant and exquisite bedroom of Baozhen Courtyard, Xiao Yuyao, her face pale, nestled in Madam Xiao's arms, two tears falling:

"Mother, it's all Yuyao's fault for being unwell. Why don't you take Fifth Sister to the Prime Minister's residence? It's still not too late, cough cough..."

"What nonsense are you talking about, child? You're so sick, how could I possibly be in the mood to attend a banquet?"

From childhood to adulthood, Madam Xiao could not bear to see Xiao Yuyao in such a sickly state. When she was young, Xiao Yuyao was often sick, with fever or diarrhea every few days. Madam Xiao spent most of her time accompanying Xiao Yuyao in Baozhen Courtyard, and the amount of time and effort she devoted to her was immeasurable.

"But Fifth Sister didn't introduce herself to those ladies and young women last time, and we missed it again this time. Won't Fifth Sister blame us for neglecting her?"

Xiao Yuyao continued softly, "I know that Fifth Sister is Mother's biological daughter after all. Mother really doesn't need to worry about someone as awkward as me. Fifth Sister is more important."

Xiao Yuxuan had just approached when she heard this conversation.

"There will be plenty of opportunities to take her out in the future. Right now, the most important thing is to get better. Come here—I'll feed you your medicine. You can take another nap later. I'll explain things to Yuxuan myself."

"Fifth Sister..."

Mu Jin walked out from around the corner and bumped into Xiao Yuxuan, who was standing outside.

"Shh-"

Xiao Yuxuan placed a finger to her lips and smiled gently.

"I wanted to visit my fourth sister, but since Mother is with her, you don't need to mention that I've been here. I'll be leaving now."

Mu Jin gave the Fifth Miss a complicated look, softly replied "Yes," and watched her leave.

"Sister Mulan, do you really not need to tell our young lady?"

Another maid, who was less experienced, was unsure what to do when she saw the scene.

Mu Jin glanced inside and whispered:

"The young lady may know that the Fifth Miss has come by. If she asks, just tell her the truth."

She dismissed the grateful maid, a strange feeling welling up inside her.

She didn't know whether the Fourth Sister said those words on purpose, but seeing the Fifth Sister's knowing yet composed expression just now, she inexplicably guessed that the Fourth Sister's strength had been hidden in cotton.

Forget it, she was just a servant who did things for money, and she wouldn't get involved in the intrigues of her masters.

Half an hour ago, in the front courtyard, at the residence of the imperial physician, Doctor Pei was pondering a prescription.

He would sometimes stroke his beard, sometimes touch the dried medicinal herbs beside him, and sigh at the prescription that he had written and revised again and again.

"Sigh, what a mess this is..."

The Pei family had been practicing medicine for generations. Old Master Xiao had been kind to Doctor Pei in the past, and the Xiao family had a small household, so he felt it was an excellent place to retire. He brought his suitcase and came to the Xiao family to work as a relaxed family doctor.

Unexpectedly, only a little over ten years have passed, and in the past month, the two young ladies in this mansion have been getting into trouble frequently. One of them fell into the water, and the other pretended to be sick. It's pitiful that he's so old, yet he still has to deal with these young ladies' little tricks. And since they are all mistresses, he doesn't want to offend either of them.

This is difficult...

"Grandfather, what kind of prescription are you writing?"

Pei Xing'er appears composed and serious in front of outsiders, but to Doctor Pei, she's a little devil who has copied those medical books countless times.

Taking advantage of Doctor Pei's inattention, she deftly snatched the prescription from his desk with her small hand.

Upon closer inspection, she exclaimed in surprise:

"This is just a common tonic prescription, why does Grandfather have to be so meticulous with every word? It seems you really are getting old. Sigh, you can't deny getting old!"

"You disrespectful brat, how could I not know this is a tonic prescription?!"

Doctor Pei rolled his eyes and snatched it back in an annoyed manner.

"I'm just lamenting that life in the Xiao family is getting tough; it's troublesome, very troublesome!"